Can



March 15, 1966 A. P. SCHOLTZ CAN Filed Jan. 2, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. Asa-mun P. SCHOLTZ Ar'rY.

March 15, 1966 A. P. SCHOLTZ CAN 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1962 b-5 b 0 Z W Z b 7 S, i I i .2 Q 9 b A .9 o. .2 n. & I l1. 5 A? 5 m a II!b. b /H 5 M. U 4 b l\ 5 b. 2 5 4, 5 f: 128 mm H u b w .2 .e I 1 0 .9 b.3 19 I March 15, 1966 A. P. SCHOLTZ CAN 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 2,1962 I INVENTOR. ARTHUR P. ScHoLTZ A'r'rY.

United States Patent CAN 7 Arthur P. Schultz, 3217 W. 47th Place,Chicago 32, Ill. Filed Jan. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 163,513 9 Claims. (Cl.22044) This application is a continuation-in-part, of copendingapplications, Serial No. 43,574, filed July 18, 1960, and Serial No.84,090, filed January 23, 1961, now Patent No. 3,149,743, grantedSeptember 22, 1964, and Serial No. 108,398, filed May 8, 1961, nowPatent No. 3,133,669, granted May 19, 1964.

This invention relates to a new and improved can with inner replaceableclosure overlaid by the usual top end and, more particularly, to a canso constructed as to facilitate rapid evacuation thereof including theheadspace between the replaceable closure and the top end as well as thespace on the opposite side of the replaceable closure.

At the present, vacuum packing of substances such as coffee is commonlypracticed. The reclosure features of the present invention makes itparticularly suitable for such products. A conventional vacuum seamer,well known in the canning art, may be used; such a seamer has amultiplicity of pockets in a turret. Filled, open top cans are fed intothe pockets, carried around in a pressure below atmospheric until theinterior pressure of the can and contents is equalized with the interiorof the seamer, an end applied and seam sealed onto the can body, and thesealed can discharged. In using such a seamer with a can of the typedescribed in the aforementioned copending applications, it is desirablethat air in the headspace between the top end and reclosure cap shouldbe evacuated before the can is sealed. The present invention has as aprincipal object the provision of a can that facilitates theaccomplishment of this result, while retaining desirable novel featuresof the cans of the above-identified applications.

The reclosure cap of the present invention is formed of a deformableresilient plastic material which is so constructed that it deforms underpressure difference created during vacuumizing to form a vent or tofacilitate air evacuation. Upon equalization of pressure between thezones above and below the cap the communication between the two zones isthereafter impeded, a feature which tends to retard deterioration of thecontents after the consumer removes the top end of the can.

A further improvement of the present invention is in the construction ofan integral lift knob on the cap. Such knob is used by the consumer tolift the cap for removal or replacement. The knob is preferably hollowand preferably has at its upper edge an outwardly projecting ridge whichfunctions to keep the fingers from sliding relative to the cap when thecap is being pulled off the collar. The caps are constructed so thatthey may be stacked on top of each other for convenient storage andfurther to facilitate machine feeding the caps for positioning on thecollars of cans. A feature of the present invention is the formation ofthe lift knob with an outwardly expanded step near the bottom of thewall of the lift knob, which step has an inside diameter to receive therib of the next lowermost cap. In this manner the caps stack on top ofeach other in a stable arrangement and are slightly spaced apart attheir outer peripheries so that a detent may be interposed in thespacebetween the peripheries of the caps to facilitate automatic feeding ofthe caps from a stack one at a time.

A still further feature of the invention is the construction of the capin such manner that it may rest on a horizontal surface in a stablemanner. Alternatively, the caps may be fed along a horizontal table ormoving belt. In such method of feeding, the construction of the cap3,240,383 Patented Mar. 15, 1966 tends to prevent the caps from tiltingas edgewise pressure is imparted and thus the construction hereinafterset forth in detail prevents jamming of the machinery for feeding thecaps.

A further feature of the invention is the formation of an integral knobon a flexible cap, thereby facilitating removal and replacement of thecap. The knob may project upwardly from a depression in the center ofthe cap to enhance the natural flexibility of the plastic material ofwhich the cap is constructed so that it snaps onto the collar and may beremoved therefrom, but sufficient tension is imparted to the caps sothat the contents are sealed by the cap gripping the bead on the collar.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a lifting knob onthe replaceable inner closure so constructed that it is easily grippedby the fingers of the user and yet is shaped so that the closure may bemolded in plastic without requiring the use of a split cavity mold.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a canhaving-reclosure means in which the entire interior of the can incontact with the contents may be enameled, and no raw metal edge ispresent in a location where it might be contacted by the contents of thecan.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a spacebetween the reclosure cap and the can end, which space may be used foradvertising circulars or premiums, directions for use of the contents ofthe can, or other purposes. A small package of additive such as acoloring material or flavor may be placed in the space between the capand the end to be added to the contents of the can by the consumer asdesired.

Further, it will be understood that a premium or the like may beinserted in the headspace above the reclosure cap and need not beprovided with a special protective wrapping since it is isolated fromthe contents of the can.

An advantage of this invention is the fact that the can end may besevered easily by conventional can openers without leaving ragged,dangerous metal edges. Even the punch-and-cut blade type can openeroperates well with this construction. The angle at which the user holdsthe blade is not so critical for proper cutting because the shape of theend and the collar direct the blade toward the proper angle.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a canof the above mentioned character wherein a reclosable cap may be put inplace loosely so that it does not substatially interfere with theevacuation of the can and wherein after evacuation and sealing of thecan end that overlies the reclosable cap, that cap will be automaticallymoved further into position to form a good, substantially air-tightclosure.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a canwith a reclosable cover which can is particularly adapted for vacuumpacking and wherein the can opening and the cover therefor are sorelated that a loose air-leaking fit is initially obtained, tofacilitate the evacuation and wherein the construction is such thatafter evacuation and removal of the evacuated sealed can from the vacuumchamber, the pressure to which the can is subjected causes such adeformation of the can metal, beyond its elastic limits, as to provide asnug fit of the reclosure whereby the reclosure is held in place evenafter re peated openings and reclosings.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a canstructure wherein a rupturable can end that is seam sealed to the canbody overlies and is spaced from a mouth defining ring on the inside ofthe can, the ring being spaced from the can end to permit flexing of thecan end toward-the ring an amount suflicent to move a reclosable coverto its ultimate desired position whereupon the ring then reenforces thecan end against fur ther inward flexing. Because of this reenforcementit is possible to make the can end of thinner gauge material than wouldbe possible if the ring were not in a position to limit the inwardflexing movement of the can end. By making the can end of thinner gaugematerial it is possible to provide for a larger permissive flexing ofthe can end as the evacuated can is brought into the atmosphere from theevacuating chamber, thereby obtaining a larger permissive movement ofthe subjacent cap by the flexing of the can end.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical mid-sectional view through the upperend of a can constructed in accordance with this invention showing theposition of the parts prior to vacuumizing;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.1;

FIGS. 3 to 5, inclusive, are enlarged fragmentary sectional viewsshowing sequential steps in the vacuumizing operation;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the rim of a capconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a modification;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical mid-sectional view through the upperend of a can of a modified construction showing the relationship of theparts during vacuumization of the contents, and before completion ofseaming of the top can end;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the cap of the can of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views takenalong the lines 1010, 11-11, 1212, and 13-13 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the top portion of acompleted can of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 15 is a top view in diagrammatic form, illustrating theout-of-roundness of the opening of the plug receiving ring of thefinished can of FIG. 14.

Reference may now be had more particularly to the drawings wherein likereference numerals designate like parts throughout.

The present invention is applicable to an otherwise standard can such asa sanitary can, or it may be adapted for use with other canconstructions, such as paint cans and other general line cans. Aconventional can has a body 11,-1 which is customarily cylindrical inshape and seamed and soldered together in a conventional side seam 13.An outwardly directed flange 12 is formed on the top and a similarflange is formed on the bottom of the body. In conventional canconstruction, an upper can end 14 is a disc of sheet metal having atrough 16 formed at the outer periphery and containing sealing compound(not shown). Inwardly of the trough 16 is a vertical seaming chuck wall17 which in the present instance is of slightly less than conventionaldiameter to provide space for a collar hereinafter described. The chuckradius 18 at the bottom of wall 17 is somewhat greater than inconventional can ends, and a raised annular bead 19 is provided inwardlyof radius 18. The large radius 18 and the bead 19 tend to spring thesevered end upward when it is cut by a can opener. The bead 19 furthertends to localize the path of the blade of the can opener and preventinward movement thereof, thereby improving the operation of the canopener. Further, the head 19 tends to reduce wrinkling of the peripheryof the disc that is cut from the can end 14. This feature is desirablein that if the cut edge is wrinkled it tends to hook or snag at variouspoints under the portion of the can end which remains seamed to thebody, which makes removal of the disc of the can end difficult at times.

As. shown in the accompanying drawings, the shape of the upper can end14 is different from the conventional construction in that an upwardlyprojecting dome 23 is provided. The upward extending wall 24 or flank ofdome 23 is so dimensioned as to nest in the complementary recess in thebottom end of a super-imposed can (not shown).

The bottom end (not shown), opposite the end 14, is substantiallycomplementary in shape so that cans may be stacked end-to-end forstorage and display without likelihood of tipping. One end of the can isapplied at the can-making factory and the other end is applied at thecannery after the contents have been filled into the can. The latteroperation is preferably performed in a vacuum seamer of any well-knownconstruction wherein the can and its contents are carried in avacuumized pocket and the end seamed onto the bottom flange of the canbody while the interior is subject to vacuum. The benefits of vacuumpacking are well understood in the canning art.

The present invention employs a collar 31 inside the upper end of thecan and secured thereto. In the form shown in the accompanying drawings,the collar 31 has a vertical cylindrical side wall 32 having a diameterto fit inside the can body with a friction fit. The side Wall 32 issufiiciently deep so that the collar is not severed when the upper canend 14 is cut by a conventional can opener. The body 11 is formed withan inwardly indented annular bead 35 which forms a positioning stop forthe collar 31. When the end 14 is double-seamed onto the body 11, asindicated at 27, the collar 31 is permanently secured to body 11.

The collar 31 has a breast 34 slanting upwardly inwardly from the bottomof wall 32, projecting into the dome 23 or stacking step of upper end 14and terminating in an outwardly rolled head 36 which is spaced slightlydownwardly from the underside of dome 23. It will be understood that theneck 37 of collar 31 may terminate in a curl, bead or hem and the termbead is used herein to include all such constructions. Preferably, thebead 36 projects upwardly and outwardly since in such: constructionthere is no possibility of a raw edge of the metal coming in contactwith the contents of the can, which might affect the color,'odor ortaste of the contents deleteriously, or be otherwise objectionable.

There is provided an improved reclosure cap 14 which snaps in place inthe neck 37.. The cap 41 is preferably formed of a semi-rigid plastic,such as high-impact polystyrene, i.e., a polystyrene containingappreciable quantities of synthetic rubber. The cap has adjacent itsperiphery a narrow annular shoulder or wall 42. Surrounding the outeredge of shoulder 42 is a short downwardly extending skirt 43 whichsurrounds the outside of head 36. On the inside edge of the shoulder 42is a vertical wall 44 having at its upper end a reduced diameter section45 immediately opposite the neck 37, so that there is space between neck37 and wall section 45. A plurality of outwardly projecting nibs 46 areformed in wall 44, said nibs engaging under the bottom edge of neck 37to hold the cap detachably on the collar. The number and size of nibs 46is subject to variation, but it has been found that five uniformlyspaced apart nibs each having an arcuate length of about in. issatisfactory. These nibs 46 may be omitted and the holding actionobtained by frictional engagement of the cap with the collar 37.

Vents 49 are indented into corner 47 for a purpose hereinafter describedin detail and effective when the can is vacuumized. The number anddimensions of vents. 49 is subject to some variation, but it has beenfound that six vents each in. in arcuate length is satis-- factory.

Inwardly of the bottom edge of wall 44, the cap 41 is: formed with adownwardly-inwardly slanted portion 51; which may be at an angle ofabout 45 to the horizontal, to facilitate proper sea-ting of the cap onhead 36 if theuser happens to position cap 41 eccentrically with re;

spect to collar 31. Inwardly of slanted surface 51 is anupwardly-inwardly slanted surface 52 rising to an elevation about equalto that of the bottom of wall 44. Inwardly of the upwardly-inwardlyslanted surface 52 is an annular depression 53 having in cross-sectionan arcuate shape which conveniently receives the tips of the fingers ofthe user. The inner edge of depression 53 terminates in an upwardvertical riser 54 which, in turn, merges into an inward horizontalshoulder 56. As hereinafter appears, the riser 54 and shoulder 56constitute a stacking step useful when caps are piled on top of eachother in a stack. Above the inner shoulder 56 is a vertical wall 56' ofa lift knob 57 and at the top of the knob is an outwardly reversely bentrim 58 which prevents the fingers from sliding off surface 56'. The rim58 merges with the top 59.

The rim 58 may be produced in various ways. However, a preferred formavoids the use of a split cavity mold. In the original form as receivedfrom the mold, the lift knob has a bulbous projection around its upperend. Such a shape may be stripped from a mold without using a splitcavity. Before removal from the mold, downward pressure is applied onthe top surface 59 by any convenient means and this results in asqueezing of the cap to form ridge 58.

The construction of cap 41 is of particular importance in handling thecap, as in connection with storing and transporting caps in stacks or infeeding the caps during assembly of the containers by automaticmachinery. When the caps are thus stacked, the horizontal shoulder 56 ofone cap rests upon the top 59 of the next lower cap and hence a stablestack is achieved. In this connection, it will be noted that the outsidediameter of rim 58 is slightly less than the inside diameter of riser54. In addition to the stability of the stack there is adequate spacebetween the skirts 43 of superimposed caps of the stack so that adetent, which is part of one type of feeding means for feedingsuccessive caps from the stack for assembly with the containers, mayenter between successive caps.

Further, where the caps are fed horizontally along a belt or table, theshape of the cap also afiords stability. Thus when fed along suchhorizontal surface the skirts 43 are in edge-t-o-edge relationship at aplane which is about half the height of the cap and the bottom of thecap is resting on a horizontal annular surface at the bottom edge ofriser 54, which is of relatively large diameter. Thus the caps tend toremain in contact with the surface along which they are fed and do nottend to tip or climb over each other. This again provides a stable andeffective means for feeding the caps during assembly of the containers.

Other features of the invention are likewise apparent. The location ofbead 36 in proximity to the underside of dome 23 reenforces the dome andlimits the extent that it concaves inwardly, particularly when thecontents are packed under vacuum. Another feature of the construction isthat by locating neck 37 inside the dome a smaller diameter neck resultsand this reduces the size of the reclosure cap 41 and decreases thequantity of plastic material required to form the cap. On the otherhand, the cost of collar 31 is not ordinarily increased because if thecollar is formed by punching out a ring of metal the outside diameter ofthe ring remains constant regardless of the size of neck 37 and thecircle punched from the center of the ring is waste material.

In the modification of FIG. 7, the various parts have been given thesame numerals as the corresponding parts in the previous embodiment,with the subscript b added. The end 14b is formed without a dome.Inwardly of head 19b is an annular groove 20b and inwardly thereof anannular horizontal panel 21b and a central, slightly indented panel 22b.In this modification the collar 31b is of substantially greater insidediameter than collar 31 and its top elevation is also less in that itdoes not project upwardly into a dome. The cap 41b is of a greaterdiameter than cap 41, but in other respects the two are similarlyconstructed. Parts of the modification of FIG. 7, which aresubstantially the same as corresponding parts of FIGS. l to 6, are giventhe same reference numeral followed by the subscript b and are notfurther described herein in detail.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the upper end of the can is assembled at the canfactory before the contents are filled and before the can is vacuumized.The position of the parts before filling of the can is shown enlarged inFIG. 2. It will be noted that nibs 46 engage under the bottom edge ofneck 37. The shoulder 42 is not compressed by the underside of end 14,although it may be contacted thereby.

At the can factory, advertising circulars, premiums, directions, orsmall packages of additives may be placed on the closure cap 41 betweenthe knob thereof and the wall 44.

When the partially completed cans are received in the cannery the topends 14 are in place but the bottom can ends are not yet in place. Thecans are filled in their upside down positions, as illustrated in FIG.3. In this instance the contents may be ground coffee, shelled nuts orother non-liquid materials. By reason of the contact of the wall 44 withthe neck 37 along circle 48 the contents do not spill through the cap41, but are retained in place. Thus, FIG. 3 is essentially the same asFIG. 2, except for the inversion of the can. FIG. 4 illustrates thedrawing of a vacuum by means of a vacuum seamer, or the like. The vacuumis drawn through the open bottom end of the can (which in invertedposition is uppermost). As the can is being exhausted of air, thepressure above the cap 41 drops. Therefore because of the difference inpressure between the interior of the can and the headspace between thecan end 14 and the cover 41, the cap 41 tends to move upwardly from theposition of FIGURE 3 to that of FIGURE 4. Because of the resilientdeformable nature of the plastic, the diagonal inwardly extendingplastic material forming the vents 49 at the corner between the surface42 and the surface 47 is slightly deformed, as shown in FIG. 4, therebybreaking the seal which formerly existed at circle 48. Hence air in theheadspace passes inside skirt 43 and thence through vents 49 and throughthe space between neck 37 and wall section 45 into the interior of thecan. This results in vacuumizing of the headspace of the can as Well asthe interior thereof. During evacuation of the can the cap 41 actssomewhat as a check valve, moving from the position of FIG. 3 to that ofFIG. 4 so long as there is a preponderance of pressure in the headspaceover the pressure in the vacuum chamber.

The now bottom end 14 is seamed onto the can While the can is in thevacuum chamber, forming a hermetic seal. When the can is discharged fromthe vacuum seamer, atmospheric pressure deforms the end 14 beyond itselastic limit, flexing it inwardly and causing the dome 23 to bearagainst shoulder 42. This seals the underside of shoulder 42 againstbead 36. At the same time, the surface 47 deforms slightly as shown inFIG. 5 and a seal is restored along the circle 48. The inward movementof the can end 14 under the action of atmospheric pressure is limited orresisted by the resilience of the plastic cap 41 and by the top of thering 31 both of which are thus put under resilient stress.

I At the destination, the consumer cuts off the upper end 14 with a canopener in conventional manner. The depth of side wall 32 is such thatthe blade of the can opener does not sever the collar. Depressed radius18 and raised bead 19 tend to locate the blade of the can opener inproper position, namely, at the bottom of radius 18 and to prevent theblade from being displaced from such position as it traverses the can.Thus, the angle at which the user holds the blade is not critical. Suchpositioning of the blade is particularly important when thepunch-and-lift blade-type can opener is used. Further, the collar 31 islocated in such position that it is not normally contacted by the canopener blade. However, if it is so contacted the collar tends to preventthe blade from penetrating downwardly too deeply and puncturing thecollar. The shape of the end 14 improves the seam which can be attained.

When the end 14 has been cut away it releases its downward pressure onthe cap 41 and the collar 31 which then flex upwardly andpush thecut-out disc of the end 14 upwardly, thus facilitating removal of thecut-out disc.

It will further be seen that there is a trough 25 at the juncture ofwall 32 and slanted stretch 34 of collar 31 in which particles of metalwhich may be dislodged when the end is cut collect and which are therebyprevented from falling into the contents of the can.

The space inside the lift knob cap 41 may be filled if desired. Thus, apressed fiber material such as cellulose may be inserted in the hollowinside wall 57 and when such material is saturated with water it tendsto keep the contents of the container moist, a feature which isdesirable for products such as tobacco. A dehumidifying agent maylikewise be inserted in the same location to keep powdered products dryand prevent caking and likewise -an oxygen absorbing agent may beinserted.

Reference may now be had more particularly to the embodiment of thepresent invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 15. Insofar as theparts are of a construction identical with that of FIG. 1, identicalreference numerals have been used and no repetition of the priordescription is necessary.

An essential difference between the embodiment of FIGURES 8 through 15and that of FIG. 1 lies in the construction of the reclosable cap,herein indicated by the reference numeral 70, and the resultingdifferences in evacuation whereby the can may readily be filled andevacuated in its upright position, as distinguished from the filling ofthe can of FIG. 1 in its inverted position. This cup is made of the samematerial as was previously described. The portion of the cap thatincludes the slanted portion 51 and the parts surrounded thereby orradially inwardly thereof is identical with the cap of FIG. 1. Theessential difference between this cap and the cap of FIG. 1 lies in theshape of the part of the cap between the slanted portion 51 and theskirt 43. The slanted portion 51 terminates, at its outer periphery, ina substantially cylindrical wall 73 which is of an outside diameterslightly in excess of the inside diameter of the friction wall 37, sayof the order of a diameter which is 0.002" in excess of the internaldiameter of the neck 37.

The cylindrical wall 73 has a series of vertical vents 75 that are of aheight greater than the vertical length of the neck and which terminateshort of the bottom surface of the annular wall 42, thus leaving acylindrical friction ring wall 76 which is of an outside diameter inexcess of the inside diameter of the neck 37, the excess diameter beingof the order of 0.02. Between the juncture of the inner surface of thewall or shoulder 42 and the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 73there are a series of short, narrow sloping nibs 78, in this instancethree or six, spaced 120 degrees or 60 degrees apart. The under side ofthe wall or shoulder 42 has a series of horizontal nibs 80 projectingdownwardly therefrom for forming an air passageway to the interior ofthe can during vacuumization. There are in this instance six nibs 80spaced 60 degrees apart and spaced angularly from the nibs 78.

The can received by the can processor from the canmaking factoryincludes the body 11 having the bottom end seamed thereto and the collar31 in place. Neither the upper can end 14 nor the cover 70 is in place.The processor fills the can through the opening defined by the bead 36and the neck 37 and then places the cap 70 in position, as illustratedin FIG. 8. At this time the nibs 78 support the reclosable cap in theelevated position of FIG.

8 wherein the cylindrical friction wall 76 is above the neck. The vents75 provide for an air flow passageway from the interior of the can, pastthe space between the neck 37 and the cap 70, thence between the bead 36and the skirt 43. The can end 14 is then placed in position and the canis ready for vacuumization and for formation of the seam between the canend 14 and the can body 11. Before the seam 27 (FIG. 14) is formed,there is an air flow path, indicated by the dotted line 82 whereby airmay flow from the space 25 between the can end 14 and the ring 31 to theoutside of the can. This is in communication with the interior of thecan through the vents 75. Thus the entire interior of the, can isevacuated. During this time the cap 70 is in its elevated positionpermitting air flow between the interior of the can and the space 25,thence to the outside of the can. Upon completion of the double seam 27in the vacuum chamber the can is sealed. At this time the gas pressurewithin the can is equal to the gas pressure in the vacuum chamber wherethe can is located, that pressure being very low, so that there is ahigh vacuum in the can.

The nibs may be omitted and the equivalent results obtained by makingthe shoulder 42 sufliciently thin so that it may flex suflicientlyduring vacuumization to allow air to pass from the interior of the canto the headspace between the collar 31 and the can end 14. The sameresults may be obtained by sand blasting the surface of the mold wherethe bottom surface of the shoulder 42 is formed, so that the bottomsurface of the shoulder 42 has a rough sand-blast-like finish ratherthan a smooth finish. That rough surface on the underside of theshoulder 42 will form air passageways between the bottom surface of theshoulder 42 and the bead 36.

Upon removal of the can from the vacuum chamber the atmospheric pressureof approximately 15 pounds per square inch flexes the can end 14downwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 14, the top of the canend forcing the cap 70 to the position of FIG. 14 wherein the frictionwall 76 engages the inner periphery of the neck 37 to form an air-tightclosure and at the same time the nibs 80 (if there are such nibs) arecompressed so that there is an air-tight closure between the top of thebead 36 and the bottom of the wall or shoulder 42. The can end 14 ineach of the different embodiments of the invention above described maybe of comparatively thin material, substantially thinner than instandard, and its flexing continues until the shoulder 42 engages thebead 36 at which time the ring 31 reenforces the can end 14 and limitsfurther inward movement to a small additional amount, during which timethe breast 31 is flexed downwardly a small amount beyond its elasticlimit. At this time the can end 14 has been flexed beyond its elasticlimit and presses the cap 70 firmly in place, and holds the nibs 78 (or49 in the can of FIGURE 2) compressed.

At this time the can end 14 is under stress, tending to move itupwardly, the stress being due to the tension under which the metal ofthe can end 14 has been placed, particularly the portion of the can endbetween the seam 27 and the wall or shoulder 42 of the reclosure cap. Inaddition, the can end 14 is being forced upwardly by the reaction of thebead 36 of the ring 31 and by the distortion of the nibs 78, and by thesmall upward push of the breast 31..

When the can is opened as by means of a can opener which cuts along acircle indicated at 84, the severed disc is pushed upwardly by releaseof the intern-a1 stress in the disc 14 and by the force of the ring 31and of the reclosure cap. This facilitates removal of the severed discof the end 14. The cap 70 (or 41 in FIGURE 1) may then be used as areclosure cap.

In one construction the neck opening in the ring which engages theplastic plug was made 3.716" (diameter prior to vacuum packing) and thediameter of the friction wall 73 which comes in contact therewith wasmade 3.718. This 0.002" oversize would, ordinarily, not be tight enoughto give the feel of a tight closure which the consumer would like tohave, nor would it be tight enough to hold on should the can beaccidentally tipped over. However, after the can is vacuum packed, adifferent situation is brought into existence. Due to the particularshape of the ring 31 and perhaps due to the fact that the metal used inmaking it is light weight, the pressure of the atmosphere on top of thecan end 14 which pushes downwardly on the cap 70 and the ring 31 causesthe ring opening to become slightly oval-shaped. In one measurement theout-of-round condition of the neck 37 measured 0.014" between minimumand maximum ring opening diameters, with the narrowest diameter of3.709" being across the grain of the metal of the ring 31 and the longdiameter of 3.723" being with the grain of the metal. The grain of themetal determines which way the ring will become oval-shaped since lesspressure is required to float metal across its grain than when formingmetal with the grain. After vacuum packing, then, instead of having only0.002" interference between the ring and the cap or plug, there is nointerference on approximately half the circumference of the neck and0.009" interference between the plastic cap and the narrow side of theneck opening. This 0.009" interference is sufficient to give a tightfeel and to hold the closure cap in position should the can beaccidentally tipped over after the can end 14 has been cut away. Due tothe resilient nature of the plastic cover material, it conforms to theout-of-round shape of the neck opening each time that the reclosurecover is removed and replaced, and the plastic of the cover 70 does notset in the same out-of-round shape as that of the ring opening becausethe elastic limits of the plastic plug material have not been reached.

If desired, the neck opening 37 may be initially made out-of-round, theout-of-roundness being so oriented with respect to the grain of themetal that after vacuum packing and deformation by atmospheric pressureabove referred to, the ring opening 37 then becomes perfectly round.This can be accomplished by making the ring opening of a larger diameter(for instance 3.723") with the grain of the metal and of a smallerdiameter (for instance, 3.709) across the grain of the metal so thatafter vacuum packing it re-shapes to a true 3.71-6" round opening. Thena plastic plug with a friction wall of 3.723" rather than 3.71" would beused.

While the can of FIGURE 8 is adapted for filling from the top, followedby vacuumization before final sealing, this can may also be filled inits inverted position as in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 2 through5. In this arrangement the hermetic double lock seam between the can end14 and the can body 11 would be completed at the can-making factory, andthe can thus partially completed, without the bottom can end in place,delivered to the cannery. There the can is filled in its invertedposition and after vacuumization the missing can end is applied and lockseamed in place by a double lock seam such as the lock seam 27.

It is to be noted that in each of the embodiments the top of the wall 32terminates short of the double seam 27 and therefore the collar 31 doesnot increase the overall thickness of the seam 27, and the chuck wall 17is no further from the outside cylindrical surface of the seam 27 thanin the case of an ordinary can that does not have the inner collar 31.Therefore a conventional can opener may be used, and in such use itoperates in its conventional manner.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes, I have hereshown a few preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is to beunderstood that these are merely illustrative of the principles of theinvention. What is believed to be new and sought to be secured byLetters Patent is:

1. A container having a body, a collar tightly fitting within the bodyand having a neck ring defining an opening into the body, a cap for theopening, a flexible end closing said body and overlying the collar andthe cap, said cap being a unitary piece of flexible plastic having meanscooperating with the neck ring to form a vent for air flow between partsof the container on opposite sides of the cap, said means including anannular cap surface that engages the neck ring, said cap being flexedduring evacuation of the container to separate said annular surface fromsaid neck ring to facilitate communication through said vent forevacuation of the container including the headspace between the cap andthe end by the flow of air through said vent, said end being flexiblebeyond its elastic limit by the preponderance of ambient pressure overthat pressure within the container, a portion of the cap being in thepath of flexure of said end and moved thereby to urge said annularsurface into engagement with said neck ring.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the cap has an annularshoulder and the vent forming means further includes a projection on theshoulder.

3. A structure as defined in claim 3, in which the neck ring has axiallyinner and outer portions and said annular surface engages said axiallyinner portion and said projection engages said axially outer portion.

4. A structure as defined in claim 1, in which the neck ring has axiallyinner and outer portions and said annular surface engages said axiallyouter portion and said projection engages said axially inner portion.

5. A structure as defined in claim 1, in which said annular surfaceseals against said neck ring.

6. In a container construction, a body; an end seamed on said body, acollar on the upper part of said body, cooperating means on said collarand body to secure said collar in position in said body, said collarbeing formed with a neck having a terminal bead, and a reclosure cap onsaid collar and under said end said cap being formed of a unitary pieceof plastic material comprising an annular peripheral shoulder adapted torest on said bead, vent forming means adapted to engage said bead, awall depending from said shoulder and engaging the neck, and a centralportion inward of said wall, said cap having a .plurality of positionson said collar including a first position assumed when said body is atatmospheric pressure and in which said wall bears against said neckaround its entire perimeter to form a closure therewith, a secondposition in which the interior of the can body is under vacuum and theheadspace between the cap and end is above the pressure within said bodyand in which said wall is out of contact with said neck to providecommunication through said vent between said cap and neck and into saidbody, and a third position in which the interior of said body andheadspace are below atmospheric pressure and the exterior is atatmospheric pressure and in which said end is inwardly deformed, aportion of the cap being in the path of deformation of said end andbeing moved thereby to close said vent and seat said shoulder on saidhead.

7. A container construction according to claim 6, in which said end isformed with an upwardly bulging dome and said bead is disposed withinsaid dome, said shoulder being disposed between said dome and bead.

8. A can comprising a can body having an enveloping body wall, an outerclosure forming a hermetic seal across one end of said can body, theperipheral material of the closure and adjacent material of said wallbeing locked together in a seam extending completely around the body andsurrounding the central axis of the body, said outer closure having acentral portion through which said axis passes and a fracturable portionsurrounding the central portion and being adjacent to said body wall, acollar in and adjacent to said end of the body, cooperating means onsaid collar and body to secure said collar in position in said body,said collar having a breast portion that extends radially inwardlytoward said axis and also axially of said body wall and being formedwith a terminal neck that is radially intermediate said axis andfracturable portion and which neck defines an opening into the body,said neck integrally including a terminal bead, said collar defining anannular channel that underlies the fracturable portion by an amountsufiicient to permit operation of a can-opening cutting tool for cuttingthe fracturable portion without cutting the collar, a removable andreplaceable resilient plastic cap for closing said opening andunderlying said outer closure and accessible upon fracture of said outerclosure, said outer closure cooperating with the collar and cap toprovide a head space at one end of the can body, said cap including anannular shoulder fitting on said bead and an annular wall that engagessaid neck, said cap having means deformable upon pressure differentialacross the cap to form a vent for air flow from the headspace to theinterior of the can body, said cap having a plurality of positions onsaid collar including a first position assumed when the interior of saidbody is at atmospheric pressure in which said cap wall bears againstsaid neck around its entire periphery to form a closure therewith, asecond position in which the interior of said body is under vacuum andthe pressure in the headspace is above the pressure within said body andin which said vent is open and wherein said cap wall is urged out ofcontact with said neck to vent air from the headspace to the interior ofthe can body, and a third position when the interior of said body andheadspace are below atmospheric pres sure and the exterior of the can isat atmospheric pressure in which said outer closure is inwardlydeformed, a portion of the cap being in the path of deformation of saidouter closure and being moved thereby to close said vent and seat saidshoulder on said bead.

9. A can comprising a can body having an enveloping body wall, an outerclosure forming a hermetic seal across one end of said can body, theperipheral material of the closure and adjacent material of said wallbeing locked together in a seam extending completely around the body andsurrounding the central axis of the body, said outer closure having acentral portion through which said axis passes and a fracturable portionsurrounding the central portion and being adjacent to said body wall, acollar in and adjacent to said end of the body, cooperating means onsaid collar and body to secure said collar in position in said body,said collar having a breast portion that extends radially inwardlytoward said axis and also axially of said body wall and being formedwith a terminal neck that is radially intermediate said axis andfracturable portion and which neck defines an opening into the body,said neck integrally including a terminal bead, a removable andreplaceable resilient plastic cap for closing said opening andunderlying said outer closure and accessible upon fracture of said outerclosure, said outer closure cooperating with the collar and cap toprovide a headspace at one end of the can body, said cap including anannular shoulder fitting on said bead and an annular wall that engagessaid neck, said cap having means deformable upon pressure differentialacross the cap to form a vent for air flow from the headspace to theinterior of the can body, said cap having a plurality of positions onsaid collar including a first position assumed when the interior of saidbody is at atmospheric pressure in which said cap wall bears againstsaid neck around its entire periphery to form a closure therewith, asecond position in which the interior of said body is under vacuum andthe pressure in the headspace is above the pressure within said body andin which said vent is open and wherein said cap wall is urged out ofcontact with said neck to vent air from the headspace to the interior ofthe can body, and a third position when the interior of said body andheadspace are below atmospheric pressure and the exterior of the can isat atmospheric pressure in which said outer closure is inwardlydeformed, a portion of the cap being in the path of deformation of saidouter closure and being moved thereby to close said vent and seat saidshoulder on said bead.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,302,189 4/1919McColl 53103 X 1,695,286 12/1928 Johnson 22027 1,759,274 5/ 1930 OBrien.2,523,285 9/1950 Erb 22042 2,606,685 8/1952 Erb 22042 2,652,947 9/ 1953Henchert 22042 2,833,324 5/1958 Burroughs 5 3,061,139 10/1962 Edwards22044 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,125,530 7/1956 France.

725,882 3/1955 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, THERON E. CONDON,

Examiners.

